Content

 Important Information vii

 Chapterwise Important Questions (TCS Pattern) vii

Chapters 1-215

Unit-I : History
1. Ancient, Medieval, Modern History 1-4
2. Foreign Travellers in India and Contemporary Historical Writings 5-9
3. Famous Wars, Events and Important Dates of Indian History 10-13
4. Revolt of 1857 and other important Popular Movements 14-17
5. Important Governor/Governor Generals, Viceroys of India and Associated Events 18-20
6. Important Books of Hindi Literature and Prominent Personalities 21-24
7. Major Religions of India 25

Unit-II : Art and Culture

8. Indian Dances and Associated Dancers 26-28
9. Indian Music, Music Instruments, Musicians and Cultural Institutions 29-30
10. Indian Paintings 31-32
11. Important Temples. Forts, Palaces and Tombs in India 33-37
12. Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritages of UNESCO 38
13. Indian Fairs and Festivals 39-41
14. Indian Costumes 42-43
15. Indian Cuisines 44

Unit-III : Geography
16. Solar System 45
17. Atmosphere 46
18. Facts Related to World Geography 47-56
19. Ocean Currents 57
20. Local Winds and Cyclones of the World 58
21. Geographical Sobriquets of the World 59
22. Famous Straits of India and the World 60-61
23. States and UTs of India, Its Neighbours and Coasts 62-63
24. India's Famous Mountains, Plateaus, Passes and Major Rivers and the Cities situated on
their banks and Other Facts. 64-73
25. Important Research Centres in India 74
26. Indian Cities and their Sobriquets 75
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27. Power Plants and River Valley Projects in India 76-78
28. Important Agricultural Revolutions and Minerals 79
29. National Park, Sanctuary, Tiger Reserve, Biosphere, Elephant Reserve and Bird Sanctuary 80-86
30. Tribes in India 87
31. Transport In India and the World 88-91
32. Animal Species and Diseases 92-93
Unit-IV : Polity
33. Parts, Schedules and Sources of the Indian Constitution 94-95
34. Important Articles of the Constitution 96-98
35. Hierarchy of the Constitutional Posts 99
36. Oath/Resignations from Posts 100
37. Important Constitutional Amendments 101-102
38. Central Council of Ministers 103-105
39. Important Posts and Officers 106-108
40. Prime Ministers/Presidents of India 109-110
41. States, Cheif Ministers and Governors 111
42. Important Political Parties of India and their Election Symbols 112-113
43. Panchayati Raj (Local Self Administration) 114
44. High Courts in India 115
45. Official Languages of India States 116
46. Important National Commissions, Organisations and Tribunals 117-118
Unit-V : Economics
47. Important Facts and Vocabulary related to Banking 119
48. Industries and GI Tag 120-123
49. Important Schemes and Committees 124-129
50. Facts Related to Census 130-132
Unit-VI : Science
51. Branches and Fundamental Units in Science 133-134
52. Scientific Names of Animals and Plants 135
53. Important Inventions and Inventors 136
54. Important Chemical Names, Formulae and Acids 137
55. Important Elements and Their Inventors 138
56. Nutrition and Diseases in Humans 139-142
57. Inventions in Medical Science 143-144
58. India's Space/Defense Programme, World's Space Agencies and Institutions, Computer 145-151
59. Military Exercise of India and Other Countries 152

Unit-VII : Miscellaneous
60. First and the Greatest in India and the World 153-157
61. Important Personalities of India and their Nicknames 158-159
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62. Biggest, Largest, Smallest and Highest in India and the World 160-161
63. National Symbols of Important Countries 162
64. News Agencies of Important Countries 163
65. Parliaments and Political Parties of World Countries 164
66. Intelligence Agencies of the World 165
67. National and International Days, Weeks and Years 166-169
68. Awards and Honours of the World 170-174
69. Famous Writers and Their Books 175-180
70. Sports and Associated Awards 181-190
71. National Birds and Animals of Countries 191
72. Capitals and Currencies of World Countries 192-194
73. Changed Names of Some Famous Places 195
74. Gardens and Museums of India 196-197
75. Abbreviations 198-199
76. National and International Organisations 200-204
77. Tourism in India and the World 205-209
78. Important Places and Memorials 210
79. National Monuments of Important Countries and International Borders 211
80. Some Important Facts Related to General Studies 212-213
81. Companies and Their Founders 214-215

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Chapter
Ancient, Medieval, Modern History
1
History of Ancient India
Period Events
Prehistoric Period During this period, human life
(about 25 lakh BC to developed in India and primitive
3000 BC) man used stone tools.
Vedic Period (about During this period, Vedic culture
1500 BC to 600 BC) developed in India and the Vedas
were composed.
Maurya Period (about During this period, the Maurya
323/322 BC to 185 BC) Empire emerged in India and this
dynasty is known for great rulers
like Chandragupta Maurya and
Ashoka.
Gupta Period (about During this period, the Gupta Em-
320 AD to 647 AD) pire emerged in India and there was
progress in the fields of art, litera-
ture, science, etc., in India.
Harshvardhan Period During this period, India was ruled
(about 606 AD to 647 by the Vardhan dynasty (Harsh-
AD) Vardhan) and unity was maintained
in India.
Pallava Period (about During this period, India was ruled
350 AD to 900 AD) by the Pallava dynasty and South
India witnessed the progress in the
fields of art, literature, etc.
Chalukya Period (about During this period, India was ruled
543 AD to 753 AD) by the Chalukya dynasty and a
powerful empire emerged in entire
South India.
Unit-I : History
Period Events
Rashtrakuta Period During this period, India was ruled
(about 753 AD to 973 by the Rashtrakuta dynasty and a
AD) powerful empire came into exis-
tence in South India.
Gurjara-Pratihar Period During this period, India was ruled
(about 550 AD to 800 by the Gurjara-Pratihar dynasty and
AD) a powerful empire came into exis-
tence in North India.
Pala Period (about 750 During this period, India was ruled
AD to 1174 AD) by the Pala dynasty and a powerful
empire came into existence in
North Eastern India.
Somavanshi Period During this period, India was ruled
(about 770 AD to 1200 by the Somavanshi dynasty and a
AD) powerful empire came into exis-
tence in Central India.
Chauhan Period (about During this period, India was ruled
900 AD to 1200 AD) by the Chauhan dynasty and a
powerful empire came into existence
in North India.
Chandela Period (about During this period, India was ruled
950 AD to 1100 AD) by the Chandela kings of Khajuraho
and grand temples were built in
Khajuraho.
Vijayanagara Period During this period, the Vijayanaga-
(about 1336 AD to ra Empire emerged in India and a
1565 AD) powerful empire emerged in South
India.
Mughal Period (about During this period, the Mughal
1526 AD to 1857 AD) Empire emerged in India and a huge
empire was established in India.

Places Associated with the Harappa Civilisation

Site Results
Harappa Harappa is situated in Sahiwal district of Punjab (Pakistan) on the banks of Ravi.
Excavators: Dayaram Sahni (1921), Madho Swaroop Vats (1926) and Sir Mortimer Wheeler
(1946)
Archaeological Findings: Six granaries in a row, workers' dwellings, seal of fertility goddess,
cemetery (R- 37H), painted pottery, idol of mother goddess, stones symbols of lingam (male
sexual organ) and yoni (female sexual organ), barley and wheat in wooden boxes, copper scales,
a crucible for bronze and a mirror made of copper, vanity boxes and dice.
Mohenjodaro/Mound of Excavators: Rakhal Das Banerjee (1922), Mackay (1927) and Mortimer Wheeler (1930).
the Dead/Oasis of Sindh Mohenjodaro is located on the banks of the Indus River in Larkana district of Sindh (Pakistan).
Archaeological Findings: Huge granary, huge bathhouse (the largest building of this civilisation),
Sabha Bhawan (Assembly Hall), seal of Pashupati/Proto Shiva, bronze statue of a dancing girl,

General Studies | 1
 Site Results
Steatite statue of a bearded man, Clay figurines of Mother Goddess, pieces of cotton cloth, brick
kilns, two Mesopotamian seals, 1398 seals (56% of the total seals of the civilization).
Lothal Lothal is situated on the banks of the Bhogwa River near the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat.
Excavator: S.R. Rao (1957)
Archaeological Findings: pots, rice husks, fire altar, terracotta figurine of a horse, double
burial (a male and a female buried in the same grave), Persian/Iranian and Bahraini seals, a jar
painted with bird and fox.
Kalibanga/Black Bangles Kalibanga is situated on the banks of Ghaggar River in Rajasthan.
Excavators: Amala Nand Ghosh (1953), Dr. B.B. Lal and B.K. Thapar (1961)
Archaeological Findings: A pre-Harappan area, seven fire altars, decorated bricks, wheels of
a toy cart, Mesopotamian cylindrical seal.
Chanhudaro Chanhudaro is located in Sindh, Pakistan and was excavated in 1931.
Excavator: N.G. Majumdar (1931), E.J.H. Mackay (1935)
Archaeological Findings: unfortified city, medicine box, lipstick shop, pearl shop, mark of a
dog's paw chasing a cat on brick, a terracotta model of a bullock cart, a bronze toy cart.
Rangpur (Gujarat) Excavator: M.S. Vatsa (1931), S. R. Rao (1953-54)
Archaeological Findings: Rice Husk
Banawali, Hisar (Haryana) Excavator: R.S. Bisht (1973-74)
Archaeological Findings: Lack of grid pattern town planning, lack of systematic drainage
system, earthen plough, toy plough.
Alamgirpur, Meerut (U.P.) Excavator: Y. D. Sharma (1958)
Kotdiji, Sindh (Pakistan) Kotdiji is located on the banks of the Indus River in Pakistan.
Excavators: Ghurre (1935), Fazal Ahmed (1955)
Amri, Sindh (Pakistan) Amri is located in Balochistan, on the banks of the Indus River.
Excavator: N.G. Majumdar (1929)
Ropar (Punjab) Excavator: Y. D. Sharma (1955-56)
Surkotda, Kutch (Gujarat) Excavation: J.P. Joshi (1964)
Archaeological Findings: Horse bones (only site where horse bones have been found), Oval
tomb, pot burial.
Sutkagendor, Sindh Excavator: A. Stein (1927)
(Pakistan)
Dholavira, Gujarat Dholavira is located on an arid island in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.
Excavator: J.P. Joshi, R.S. Bisht (1990-91)
Archaeological Findings: A unique water harvesting system and its special drainage system,
a huge reservoir, here the site is divided into 3 parts.
Rakhigarhi, Haryana Excavator: Amarendra Nath (2014)
Vedic Literature
Vedic Literature Description Vedic Literature Description
Samveda It is a book of mantras and is
Rigveda Rigveda is a collection of related to music. It contains
hymns. This is the oldest book 1549 hymns and all hymns
in the world. It is also called (except 75) are taken from the
‘the first testament of human- Vedas. The mantras of Sam-
ity’. It contains 1028 suktas veda were recited by Udgata.
which are divided into 10 Panchavish (Tandya Maha
mandalas. Aitareya and Kau- Brahmana), Shadavimsha,
shiki/Sankhyan are its Brah- Chandogya and Jaiminiya are
min texts. its Brahmin texts.

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 Vedic Literature Description Period Events
Yajurveda It is a book of sacrificial prayers. 1211 Qutub Minar of Delhi built by Qutubuddin Aibak
It is recited by a priest named
Ardhavyu. It has two parts 1236 Expansion of Delhi Sultanate by Iltutmish
Ddshna Yajurveda (Complete) 1296 Assumption of power in Delhi by Alauddin Khilji
Shloka and Shukla Yajurveda
(written in both poetry and 1298 Conquest of Devagiri (Daulatabad) by Alauddin
prose). Shatapatha (the oldest Khilji
and largest Brahmin) and Tait- 1303 Conquest of Chittor by Alauddin Khilji
tiriya are its Brahmin texts. 1316 Assumption of power in Delhi by Muhammad bin
Atharva Veda The fourth and last Veda in Tughlaq
which mantras are given to 1327 Conquest of Deccan by Muhammad bin Tughlaq
ward off evils and diseases. It
also includes magical Mantras 1336 Assumption of power in Delhi by Firozshah
It is also called cosmic Veda. Tughlaq
Gopath is its Brahmin text. 1351 Establishment of Tughlaqabad by Firoz Shah
Aranyaka Aranyakas are the last part of Tughlaq
Brahmins. 1398 Taimur's Invasion on Delhi
Vedanga Education, Kalpasutra, Gram- 1413 Assumption of power in Delhi by Bahlol Lodi
mar, Nirukta, Verse and As-
trology 1451 Assumption of power in Delhi by Ibrahim Lodi
Epics Ramayana and Mahabharata 1526 Babar defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of
Panipat.
Purana The total number of Puranas is
18. Matsya Purana is the oldest 1526 Establishment of Mughal Empire by Babar
Purana text. Other important 1530 Humayun assumed the throne of the Mughal Em-
Puranas are Bhagavata Pura- pire after the death of Babar.
na, Vishnu Purana and Vayu
1556 Akbar asumed the throne of the Mughal Empire
Purana.
after the death of Humayun.
Buddhist Councils 1565 Akbar's victory over the Vijayanagara Empire in
S.No. Place Chairman Patron King South India
1582 Foundation of the Deen-e-Ilahi sect by Akbar
First Rajgriha (483 BC) Mahakassap Ajatshatru
1605 Jahangir asumed the throne of the Mughal Empire
Second Vaishali (383 BC) Sabakami Kalashok
after the death of Akbar.
Third Partaliputra Mogaliputta- Ashoka 1628 Shahjahan asumed the throne of the Mughal Em-
tissa
(255 BC) pire after the death of Jahangir.
Fourth Kashmir Vasumitra Kanishka 1632 Construction of Taj Mahal Was started by Shah-
(1st Century) jahan
1658 Aurangzeb deposed Shahjahan and assumed the
Jain Council
Mughal power.
S. Place Chairman Patron King 1674 Aurangzeb opposed to the establishment of
No.
Maratha Empire in South India
First Pataliputra (300 Sthulbhadra Chandragupta
Maurya 1707 Aurangzeb's death
BC)
1720 Succession crisis in Mughal Empire
Sec- Vallabhi (512 AD) Devarshi --
ond Kshamashra- 1739 Nadir Shah's invasion on Delhi
man 1757 In the Battle of Plassey, the British East India
Important Events of Medieval History in India Company defeated the Nawab of Bengal
1764 In the Battle of Buxar, the British East India
Period Events
Company defeated the combined forces of the
1206 Establishment of Delhi Sultanate by Qutubuddin Nawab of Bengal, the Nawab of Awadh and the
Aibak Mughal Emperor.

General Studies | 3
 Important Events of Modern History in India Important Slogans
Period Events Slogans Associated Person-
Battle of Plassey - Establishment of British East ality
1757
India Company in India Inquilab Zindabad (User) Bhagat Singh
1764 Battle of Buxar - British East India Company's Dilli Chalo Subhash Chnadra Bose
dominance in India Do or Die Mahatma Gandhi
1773 Regulation Act - Direct rule of the British East Jai Hind Subhash Chandra Bose
India Company in India
Purna Swaraj (Complete Indepen- Jawaharlal Nehru
1813 Charter Act – Allowed the British East India dence)
Company to rule India for 20 years
Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan Bharatendu Harish-
1833 Charter Act - The british East India company was chandra
asked to immediately stop commaerical activities,
although permission was granted to trade tea with Return to the Vedas Dayanand Saraswati
China. Aram Haram Hai (Rest is Rust) Jawaharlal Nehru
1857 Sepoy Mutiny – The first major rebellion against Quit India Mahatma Gandhi
British rule in India
Maro Firangi ko Mangal Pandey
1858 Government of India Act – Establishment of the
Shrameva Jayate Smt. Indira Gandhi
British Raj in India
Jai Jagat Vinoba Bhave
1877 The British monarch took over as the Emperor of
India Down with Imperialism Bhagat Singh
1885 Establishment of the Indian National Congress Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan Lal Bahadur Shastri
– Beginning of the national movement in India Don't Pay Tax Sardar Vallabh Bhai
1905 Partition of Bengal - Rise of National Movement Patel
in India Complete Revolution Jai Prakash Narayan
1906 Establishment of Muslim League - Rise of Vijayi Vishva Tiranga Pyara Shyamlal Gupta
communalism in India
Vande Mataram Bankim Chandra
1915 Mahatma Gandhi's arrival in India Chatterjee
1919 Rowlatt Act – Suppression of civil liberties in Hey ram Mahatma Gandhi
India
Jana Gana Mana Adhinayak Jaya He Rabindranath Tagore
1920 Non-Cooperation Movement – An important
phase of the national movement in India Freedom is my Birthright Bal Gangadhar Tilak

1922 Chauri-Chaura Incident - End of non-coopera- Sarfaroshi ki Tamanna, Ab Hamare Ramprasad Bismil
tion movement Dil me Hai

1928 Arrival of Simon Commission in India - Rise of Sare Jahan se Accha, Hindostan Muhammad Iqbal
national movement in India Hamara

1930 Salt Satyagraha – An important phase of the You Give me Blood, I will give you Subhash Chandra Bose
national movement in India Freedom

1932 Poona Pact – An important agreement of Simon Go Back Lala Lajpat Rai
communalism in India Desh ki Puja hi Ram ki Puja Hai Madanlal Dhingra
1935 Government of India Act – An important reform Desh Bachao, Desh banao P.V. Narasimha Rao
program of British rule in India Who lives, if India Dies Jawaharlal Nehru
1937 Provincial Autonomy – An Important Result of
the National Movement in India The dried gram of freedom is better Subhash Chandra Bose
than the pudding of slavery
1942 Quit India Movement – An important phase of
the national movement in India
Every blow aimed at me is a nail in Lala Lajpat Rai
1947 Partition of India - Independence of India and the coffin of British Imperialism
Pakistan
qq

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